Though U.S. consumption is well below other proteins today, seafood will likely be an increasingly important part of the American diet in the years to come. The country’s population is predicted to grow by 89 million between 2010 and 2050 to 401 million people. More people require more food—and...

This month soft-serve monarch Dairy Queen turns 75. At its 10th anniversary, the company boasted more than 1,000 open and planned stores. Today, Dairy Queen counts more than 6,000 locations across 20 countries.
At a time when many established brands are struggling with an identity crisis, Dairy...

Kevin Kester’s family has been farming in the U.S. for generations. And it’s not just a couple of generations they’ve been farming; more like generations upon generations, way back to the 1600s, specifically in California since the 1860s. Today, Kester owns a 22,000-acre beef cattle ranch in...

At JJ’s Red Hots in Charlotte, North Carolina, the hot dog is big business. The two-year-old eatery in the historic Dilworth neighborhood serves up hundreds of charbroiled Sahlen’s smokehouse dogs on toasted potato rolls daily.
While customers can build their own creations, JJ’s menu features a...

As sensory experiences go—the ones we can write about in a respectable, professional publication, at least—it’s hard to top the consumption of sweets when it comes to absolute primal pleasure.
“The moment sugar touches your mouth, a complex cascade of events is triggered involving taste, learning,...

The chief executive officer is often the face of a brand. And when the time comes for a new leader to assume the role, experts say, an efficient succession plan can help establish a smooth transition and reassure employees that all is well with the brand.
In its first-ever succession, Elevation...

What are some of the trends you’re seeing in the dessert space today?
The smaller, bite-sized portions, or the flights or the samplers, are a trend in order for people to have portion control, to have variety, to try different things on the menu. I think some of the flavors that are still more...

Convenience stores are increasingly taking a larger slice out of the quick-serve pie with fresh food offerings. It’s become such a lucrative business for C-stores that Sheetz, the Pennsylvania-based C-store chain that this week opened its 500th location, is planning stores designed more as fast...

The Women's Foodservice Forum (WFF) announced that industry icons Buffalo Wild Wings CEO Sally Smith, Coca-Cola Chairman and CEO Muhtar Kent, and McDonald's outgoing CEO Don Thompson will keynote the 2015 WFF Annual Leadership Development Conference to be held on March 8–11, 2015 at the Orlando...

Wienerschnitzel, the world’s largest hot dog chain, announced the appointment of Doug Koegeboehn as chief marketing officer; joining the Irvine-based company with more than 20 years of marketing experience in the quick service restaurant industry. Koegeboehn will lead brand, marketing, digital,...

Pieology Pizzeria announced the addition of vegan Mozzarella cheese from Daiya Foods, the leader in dairy-free cheese products, to the fast casual restaurant chain’s large variety of topping selections. Available at select Pieology locations, the vegan cheese option aligns with the company’s...

Pollo Tropical, the fast-casual concept known for its citrus-marinated, flame-grilled chicken and array of authentic sauces and sides, continues its Georgia expansion with the opening of its newest location on February 27. The restaurant, located at 5815 State Bridge Road, is the sixth Pollo...

GE Capital’s Franchise Finance business served as administrative agent on a $45-million, senior-secured credit facility to the Saxton Group, the largest McAlister’s Deli franchisee. GE Capital Markets served as sole lead arranger and sole bookrunner.

The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) announced today its 2015 Restaurant Neighbor and Faces of Diversity American Dream award winners. The winners will be honored at a gala on April 14, 2015, during the National Restaurant Association’s Public Affairs Conference in...

While the fast-casual category continues to be the fastest-growing industry sector, the road in 2015 will be bumpy. We will see constant change and challenges around every corner. For industry leaders, there are issues that will keep even the most seasoned executive awake at night.
Here is my top...

When Lori Newcomb found out she had stage III ovarian cancer last year, she made it her mission to learn more about the disease and help other women fighting the same battle. She sat down with her husband, Chris Newcomb, cofounder and CEO of Southern quick-service chain Newk’s Eatery, and together...

When fast-casual chain Zoës Kitchen Inc. debuted on the New York Stock Exchange last April, the Plano, Texas–based Mediterranean-style eatery recorded its initial public offering at $87.5 million. Satisfying an investor appetite for investments within the trendy fast-casual space, Zoës’ strong...

Kevin Kester’s family has been farming in the U.S. for generations. And it’s not just a couple of generations they’ve been farming; more like generations upon generations, way back to the 1600s, specifically in California since the 1860s. Today, Kester owns a 22,000-acre beef cattle ranch in...

Convenience stores are increasingly taking a larger slice out of the quick-serve pie with fresh food offerings. It’s become such a lucrative business for C-stores that Sheetz, the Pennsylvania-based C-store chain that this week opened its 500th location, is planning stores designed more as fast...

Though U.S. consumption is well below other proteins today, seafood will likely be an increasingly important part of the American diet in the years to come. The country’s population is predicted to grow by 89 million between 2010 and 2050 to 401 million people. More people require more food—and...